Final answer:
Option A) Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare are three fundamental programs in social welfare policy, providing health insurance for the elderly, low-income individuals, and various benefits for retirees, people with disabilities, and survivors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three programs in social welfare policy listed in option A) Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare are indeed fundamental components of the United States' social safety net. Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. It is a joint effort between the federal and state governments and provides a range of health-related services. Social Security is a program that provides retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. It operates by using payroll taxes contributed by workers and their employers to provide income to the retired, the disabled, and the families of deceased workers. Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for individuals who are 65 or older. Like Medicaid, it also serves certain younger people with disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Together, these programs form a considerable proportion of federal spending and represent vital elements within the constellation of social welfare initiatives in the United States.